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He wants him to cough up the names of the so-called members of the H.R.P.P who are conspiring to take over the Prime Ministership role – should something happen to incumbent Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi.

During an interview with the Samoa Observer, Lealailepule, downplayed the claims from Faumuina Wayne, who revealed underground jostling for the role, while P.M. Tuilaepa is being hospitalised in New Zealand.

“This is not right,” Leala said.

“As a member of the H.R.P.P, there’s nothing going on in our party nor is there any underground jostling for the Prime Ministership position among certain members as mentioned by Faumuina in the paper.

Leala said that if Faumuina’s views were genuine, he should name the people he is talking about.

“Who are those members and when and how many members are involved in campaigning for votes?” Leala asked.

“As I’ve mentioned before, if he thinks he’s right, then he should have the courage to come forward and reveal those members.

Leala said that if Faumuina Wayne thinks he is helping the Prime Minister, he is not.

“He’s adding more pressure on the shoulders of our leader. So for the Prime Minister, he should be assured that nothing is happening unless Faumuina Wayne reveals who he is talking about.”

Leala added that Faumuina Wayne is a good Member of Parliament who always speaks his mind.

“But I think he has gone overboard and someone must respond because our Whip is not here,” said Leala, who reassured that nothing is happening in the party and that everyone is praying for Tuilaepa’s speedy recovery.

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Contacted for a comment yesterday, Faumuina Wayne said he is not obligated to respond to Lealailepule.

“Why did he ask that question if I didn't mention his name?” Faumuina Wayne said. “And if he didn't ask me, then it's not his problem.”

Faumuina Wayne added that he did not mention Leala’s name at all “so I don't have to tell him anything. I'm not obligated to him at all.”

On the Sunday Samoan, Faumuina expressed sadness at what he described as “dirty politics” within the ruling Human Rights Protection Party (H.R.P.P)

Faumuina claimed that there was underground jostling for the position of the P.M. among certain members of the party. But he did not name any names.

This matter has come up while Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi remains in New Zealand where he was evacuated to two weeks ago for health issues.

“I find it absolutely disgusting,” Faumuina told the Sunday Observer. “This is all happening while our Prime Minister is in New Zealand undergoing a medical checkup.

“How can they think like that? These people are driven by the hunger for power (and) they will stop at nothing to get what they want.”

Faumuina confirmed that he had been approached by a certain party member who is rallying for support. A devoted member of H.R.P.P. Faumuina said he was asked to join the group.

He declined to divulge who is behind the push and the members of that group.

But confirmed he rejected the offer.

“I declined the offer based on so many factors.”

He said the most critical for him “is the fact these people are power hungry who are self-centered (and) they will do anything to get to the helm”.

He called it the small party made up of small-minded people.

“Here they are rallying up other people to select a leader when our leader is overseas getting his medical checkup.

“We should be up in arms praying for our leader and not do this while he’s on his sick bed.”